Living with lung cancer - Introduce yourself & come say hi

Hi McLeslie - I am sorry about your husband's recent diagnosis and that he is not feeling well. Yes, the symptoms mimic so may other things and it can come as quite a shock when you finally get the diagnosis. And that diagnosis is terrifying and difficult. Things do tend to settle down to a new normal however and I am praying for peace and healing for you both. Many survivors here and we are here for you.

Hello @mcleslie and welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm sorry to hear of your husband's recent diagnosis of lung cancer. I can imagine the time is a blur for you both. Cancer is always an unsettling diagnosis that leaves everyone in a tailspin. I'm glad that he is getting good treatment from the VA.

You said that he had symptoms prior to the diagnosis that was related to lung cancer. If you are comfortable sharing more, what were those symptoms? What is his most difficult symptom now?

My husband was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, about two weeks ago? The time is a blur. He just finished week one of 5 or so projected weeks of radiation. He wasn't feeling well, we thought it was a sinus infection and chest cold. He signed up for his VA benefits and his doctor sent him for a chest xray. Since then, CAT Scan, bronchoscopy, PET scan and endless blood work. The VA has been great, so far. Now we recognize what were likely symptoms that we just thought were just not related to anything serious.

@bluelagoon I have never minded or regretted the distant of travel it involves... I fact when ct's are invovled for all of 5-10 minutes we travel to IU Medical/Simon Cancer center for them they know what they want - they are there for the next visit which is 2-3 days later and there is no hassle of getting them sent to them. It beats the care his father received to Me QUALITY of care and COMMUNICATION are of the utmost I do not care how far would have to travel to get it... I know his father's dr/ (hematologist/oncologist) could not understand why he was not coming to his practice but it was because of him - his lack of communication; take this medication because I tell you too and side effects be dam and not listening and talking in analogies (which do not cut the mustard)

@reibur1951 Sorry to hear how you keep finding out how much fuller your plate can get. Glad to hear your sticking with the experts, even with the distance and additional pulls on your time lately. May you sleep well at night not just from exhaustion but from knowing how you've put your sick friend's best interest first!

Yes he really has never lost his appetite; at times foods have not tasted all that great but he has pretty well maintained his wight over the almost last 3 years - Oct 25 i think is when was diagnosed so will be starting the 3rd years soon

@reibur1951- I bet that you are tired of all the clean up! I know that he must be feeling disappointing by being eliminated from the trial. And as you said, there might be more down the line! It really helps to have a positive attitude with cancer. There are so many new treatments being explored and being used! KEYTRUDA® is being toted as a life saver for many people and being stable is certainly a great sign. Is he sleeping and eating and drinking well now?

I am tired from all the clean up work... I had just came in from being in front yard all daydid nto catch the typo and internet has been down since Thursday
till late sometime yesterday afternoon and its been popping on/of and down several times completely since June phone/internet service has been absolutely the pits from centurylink this summer for some reason. Because of the neck lymph node he was taken off of the clinical studies but his Dr. is continuing with the immunology KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) treatments... there may be other clinical studies down the line... he is staying with IU Medical/Simon Cancer center

Hello @reibur1951,

It is so good to hear from you. I'm sorry to hear of your confrontation with the dumpster. Unfortunately, the dumpster usually wins in these situations, but I'm glad that you are recovered now.

It is really good that your friend is still stable and that his immunology KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) treatments are working well and he is able to tolerate them.

Wishing you well. Will you post again after the CT scan on 10/2?

@reibur1951- Good morning. I'm so glad to hear that the lymph node has reduced, and feels better. Tangling with a dumpster does not sound like fun and I'm glad that there were only superficial injuries. I'm not sure what you mean by being fired. Do you mean that you no longer qualify for the clinical trial?